Therapeutic Efficacy of Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) for Dealing with the Psychosocial Problems of Older Adults Living in Old Age Homes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) in dealing with the psychosocial problems of older adults living in old age homes. A quasi-experimental, (2x3) mixed factorial design was used to conduct the study. Measures including Urdu versions of Lubben social network scale -6 (Lubben et al., 2006), generalized self-efficacy scale (Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995) and mental health continuum-short form (Keyes, 2009) were used to assess the variables in the study. Phase I of the study involved screening of participants for treatment groups, for which a sample of 44 older adults, both males (n=30) and females (n=14) aged between 60-90 years, were selected from private old age homes of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The results of Pearson product moment correlation showed social isolation to be non-significantly correlated with self-efficacy and psychosocial well-being, while self-efficacy and psychosocial well-being were significantly and positively correlated. Phase II involved investigating the efficacy of SFBT for older adults living in old age homes. A sample of 18 older adults, both males (n=8) and females (n=10) who were screened in Phase I, were selected and divided into intervention (N=9, males; n=4 and females; n=5) and control (N=9, males; n=4 and females; n=5) groups. Results of two-way (2x3) mixed factorial ANOVA showed that after receiving SFBT, the scores on self-efficacy and psychosocial well-being (emotional well-being and psychological well-being) significantly improved for the intervention group, in post and follow-up assessments, as compared to the control group. However, the improvement in social well-being was non-significant. This study proves SFBT to be a suitable intervention in providing socially isolated older adults in old age homes with a sense of empowerment and well-being.